Some one sent this to me – it has a good message for all of us! Enjoy!

1. Today, I interviewed my grandmother for part of a research paper I’mworking on for my Psychology class. When I asked her to define success inher own words, she said;

“Success is when you look back at your life and the memories make you smile.”

2. Today, I asked my mentor – a very successful business man in his 70′ swhat his top 3 tips are for success. He smiled and said;“Read something no one else is reading, think something no one else is thinking, and dosomething no one else is doing.”

3. Today, after my 72-hour shift at the fire station, a woman ran up to meat the grocery store and gave me a hug. When I tensed up, she realized Ididn’t recognize her. She let go with tears of joy in her eyes and the mostsincere smile and said;

“On 9-11-2001, you carried me out of the World TradeCenter .”

4. Today, after I watched my dog get run over by a car, I sat on the sideof the road holding him and crying. And just before he died;

He licked the tears off my face.

5. Today at 7 AM, I woke up feeling ill, but decided I needed the money, so I went into work. At 3 PM I got laid off. On my drive home I got a flat tire. When I went into the trunk for the spare, it was flat too.

A man ina BMW pulled over, gave me a ride, we chatted, and then he offered me a job.

I start tomorrow.

6. Today, as my father, three brothers, and two sisters stood around mymother’s hospital bed, my mother uttered her last coherent words before she died.

She simply said, “I feel so loved right now. We should have gotten together like this more often.”

7. Today, I kissed my dad on the forehead as he passed away in a smallhospital bed. About 5 seconds after he passed,

I realized it was the firsttime I had given him a kiss since I was a little boy.

8. Today, in the cutest voice, my 8-year-old daughter asked me to startrecycling. I chuckled and asked, “Why?” She replied, “So you can help mesave the planet.” I chuckled again and asked, “And why do you want to savethe planet?”

Because that’s where I keep all my stuff,” she said.

9. Today, when I witnessed a 27-year-old breast cancer patient laughinghysterically at her 2-year-old daughter’s antics, I suddenly realized that,

I need to stop complaining about my life and start celebrating it again.

10. Today, a boy in a wheelchair saw me desperately struggling on crutcheswith my broken leg and offered to carry my backpack and books for me. Hehelped me all the way across campus to my class and as he was leaving he said,

“I hope you feel better soon.”

11. Today, I was feeling down because the results of a biopsy came backmalignant. When I got home, I opened an e-mail that said, “Thinking of youtoday. If you need me, I’m a phone call away.”

It was from a high schoolfriend I hadn’t seen in 10 years.

12. Today, I was traveling in Kenya and I met a refugee from Zimbabwe . Hesaid he hadn’t eaten anything in over 3 days and looked extremely skinny andunhealthy. Then my friend offered him the rest of the sandwich he waseating.

Every day – we receive new and different messages with all that is taking place – and I am guessing, that the names of these “HYMNS” – have been on the tip of your tongue – and – now just a wondering – has anyone added more words to these – never know – but some songs could rake in millions – – when the words and meanings are so wonderful – clear and dear!

“3 Cheers – for the COOKS!”

“HIP- HIP! HOORAY!” “3 CHEERS – for the COOKS!”

Sure do hope, that you did remember to say “THANKS” to and for what ever terrific help that you had – all those extra hands that were able to make a master piece of the desserts and the best of all meals this year – maybe just the biggest and juiciest of “TURKEYS” – and surrounded by the best side dishes that were so well made and designed – that everyone had to enjoy seconds and thirds since one was so much better than the other – and you and all of the guests were there to enjoy and give THANKS to the ALMIGHTY for this most bountiful dinner and for the topper – everyone had more time to have lots of “FUN” just putting this all into their memory book – as one of the very best of times to get together!

This picture was taken several years ago and this senior chef, with her very helpful assistant, “Miss Alyssa” – the two of us pulled off another big feast – for everyone to enjoy???

In the above picture you can see – that – it does not pay to wear something “all white” – and then – stand near the refrigerator? This is not the best of pictures, since it is a “copy” and, I will have to locate the original – just to see who’s – who and what’s – what? This is a quick item – since we are still doing things with the last of the turkey!

Sometimes “Turkeys” are so large that you end up with more than you expected and it can last longer – than you wanted, so the best thing to do now – is prepare containers for some slices of that left over Turkey and freeze for another day – just remember you can make good sandwiches when you are in a hurry – everything is all ready – and so good – that you will be thinking of always having some extra “TURKEY” all prepared and ready – for those quick snacks – since you took the time to think ahead – so while busy getting things for the “CHRISTMAS” date – always coming so fast and furious, in these few days between getting ready for -and, all did and done!

Since most of us only prepare the big “TURKEY” once a year – -I keep telling myself, – “Next year year it will be a very small bird” – for some reason or the other – that is one thing I am very good at forgetting – since this is only a once a year thing to do – guess my memory feels it must forget what I said, so I can do it – “Just one more time” – – may as well think of something else to forget – and keep on doing that which makes for a wonderful “THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY” – and that all the FUN and FAMILY together – makes for a better memory book!

Hope that you are also – enjoying the last of your Turkey and saving the good memories of this year to pass on down to the next younger generation – and that each year, after having given THANKS to our ALMIGHTY for all of the wonderful gifts, that we did receive – our FAMILY and FRIENDS – we also want to remember to share with neighbors and those that need a helping hand – to make LIFE more enjoyable for all! D.V.

Are you missing something?

When I was a little girl, and that’s been a long time ago, it seemed to me that “TIME” just stood still. I can remember sitting on benches with some of my little friends, and we were talking about – “How long do we have to wait for supper?” We also were saying, “The clock just is not moving – how do ‘we’ get the clock to move faster?”

It was as if we did something or could, even try to do something that – TIME – would move faster and we could have something to do? When you are little, and I’m guessing this goes for all little “SMART TIKES” – that’s the class of “SMARTIES” and or maybe even – know-it-all – smarty-pants – wiseacre , and the NUNS’ would call us a “saucebox” – just because, they thought that we thought, we were in a higher class of smart people – and we had to get the world to move faster – because, we were wasting too much “TIME” just sitting around, sometimes!

So now, I’m putting my foot down on the “BRAKES” of time – we need to slow down “TIME” – it’s going too fast – I cannot keep up, with what I need to get done in one (24) hour day! I find myself complaining about things that are not getting done, especially since I am either too slow or the day goes by too fast!

There is so much that I have to do – that I want to read, and if I take time to just sit and read – the day is shot – all gone? And, I have a whole list of stuff, which just has to wait for another day – hopefully a longer day or a faster me? In my reading of something, that just seem to be exactly that which, I needed to read – it is inspiring me to stop complaining, about what I cannot change, and think about the blessings that I have received, and ask blessings for everybody and every thing that is requiring more time, than what I can give at that time! In other words – I have to realize, that as one gets older, one must also learn to slow down.

Today, we are on a very fast journey, which is turning into a “rat race” – and this older “body” that is being used today – has already used up the best of its energy a long time ago. So, my change for doing a better job, which is really needed – I am “blessing” everyone around – as I go through the day – I’m finding… that by “blessing” everyone that I meet each day on my daily rounds – I feel like I have more energy and strength to get more done each lovely day – even more so… than in the past.

The mouth can help you – and in this world “TODAY” – this is what you might also like to try – I just “LOVE” blessing everyone as I go – You know that… “what you say – – is what you get back” – and getting all those “BLESSINGS” back, as you are giving them out – is the best part of this day by day journey!”

“Thanks be to the Almighty for being so generous with all of HIS Blessings!” D.V.

“Thanksgiving with Grandma!”

“Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother’s House we go…” That is what I will be hearing, as everyone comes to Grandma’s (my house) for the Thanksgiving Feast!

When I was a little girl, and we were on our way to “Ohio” to see our “Grandma” my Dad’s MOTHER, Leah – we always sang – that is what children will do, when they are happy, and having FUN – while traveling a long distance in an automobile. As, small kids, and as the oldest – my memories were that, we were always happy!

Today, as old as I am, we are a family that likes singing and playing various musical instruments. I believe all children should learn to play some musical instrument, if at all possible, and have an adult, that will enjoy being with the children to teach the children to sing – taking all the time as available and as early as possible to start the singing with “gusto” – so that this becomes something that the children want to enjoy doing! It’s so good, and the best part is that, you will always remember, those good times, as your very best of all your memories.

My Mother, was positioned on a swivel type piano stool (still have the photo) and she would sing, for the entertainment of those at the FAMILY gathering – and it sure was good that “little MARIE” had a good voice and was able to remember so many songs – and songs that they all liked. Remember, she was the 13th child in the “Brady” family, and some of her older brothers – were already married! “Mom” looks like she is scared – but she sang, she had a very beautiful, good and sweet voice. That was before radio and “TV” days – the days “when” families celebrated the Holidays – together, each member of the family contributed something to the occasion – where merriment excelled!

The Brady Family had a large “piano” and our “Aunt Irene” to be – did learn to play the piano – and there were the standard songs, that all of the “BRADY’s” would sing together – as they gathered around this piano. From those days until today – a certain amount of musical ability runs in the FAMILY – and, I am certainly glad, that I had my sons take piano lessons – as they were learning to read those notes and play the different instruments – that – ‘music’ also opens up those extra special brain cells – that help increase in the learning of more courses of study, than the average child – that receives no music lessons. So, I am for all children, to learn “MUSIC” and to go as far as they like – as it will be a terrific help, to that person – all their life long!

Just in case, you missed the “POST” with my favorite song for this time of the year, here it is again!

“Added this little extra piece of good information – that, maybe you did not know – but, NOW – you will feel more informed about, the Thanksgiving DAY!” D.V.